His intention hadn't been to raise a laugh, but Frank figured that this way was almost better as a way to distract from his prying. He would be surprised if 'Mrs Earl' mentioned anything other than his asking for de-icer, out of season, as it turned out to be. He thanked her from her time, and didn't have to feign his embarrassment and eagerness to leave the shop, as it was genuine.

The general store seems as good a place as any to continue his investigations, so Frank heads there next.

Three stores down from Big Earl's is the General Store. While the name conjures images of pickle barrels, rocking chairs and penny candy, stepping inside reminds you more of a dingy Quik-E-Mart. Several aisles of florescent-lit shelves carry grocery staples as well as boxed and canned goods. Towards the front of the store are basic hygiene products as well as paperware, knick-knacks, and office supplies. Towards the rear is a modest deli counter, which sells meat by the pound as well as several types of sandwiches and sides.

Three or four people are wandering the aisles, shopping basket in hand, and there is an attendant at both the deli counter and the front checkout lane.

Frank pretended to browse the food aisles while eavesdropping on the conversations of the patrons of the store. He was starting to get the impression that he wouldn't get any useful information until later, when he intended to loosen a few tongues at the bar.

[Private to GM: Sorry I haven't been great at posting recently. I've been trying not to just roll a Gather Info check and be done with it. Looks like Toby's calling Frank now, so will have to come back to gathering info later.]

PM

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: It's ok, it seems everyone has been pretty busy lately.

And really, I don't mind you rolling a Gather Information check, if that's what you want to do here. A strict reading of the rules says that a GI check takes 1d4+1 hours, which isn't really possible to roleplay. I don't want you to suffer because you are a good roleplayer! Maybe we can make up some sort of rule for a "speed" check, with a bonus added for how you actually roleplay it.]

It seemed that the locals weren't making a lot of conversation, so Frank crossed to the deli counter to make an attempt at getting some more information about the attacks.

"Those looks pretty tasty," he said, gesturing towards the sandwiches. "What's the filling?"

When he had opened the conversation, he moved the conversation on to a slightly more macabre topic. Hopefully this would be easier than speaking to the widow of one of the victims.

"So, guessing you locals must be pretty uneasy, what with these attacks I've been reading about," he said. "Pretty hairy business. Guessing its probably got the ranchers spooked? Have any cattle actually been attacked?"

"So, the mayoral contest is underway, I take it? When are the elections set for? What do you think of Trent Burton, where would I find him? What do you think of Solomon Burke?"


[Private to GM: Ok, let's go with that plan. I'll roll a Gather Info check. I think the problem is that while one can work through this sort of town exploring/NPC interaction stuff quickly and fluidly in person, in pbp games, it slows things down to an absolute crawl.

The questions Frank is asking are inserted naturally into the conversation, rather than him just firing a series of questions all at once, it just saves us taking six or more posts to have a simple conversation.

17:52, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 22 using 1d20+13. Gather Info check in the general store.]

The deli clerk doesn't give you much to go on, but an older gentleman named Burt is more than willing to talk. You find out that the town Sheriff has allowed the townsfolk to rally in posses to search for the offending beast. Burt's posse is going to patrol later tonight. [Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Sense Motive (19): While Burt tries to make the position sound official, you get the impression that these posses are probably little more than a couple of guys with shotguns and a case of Bud driving around the fields in a pickup truck. The sheriff probably authorized them to make the town feel better, but, if Burt is in one of them, no wise sheriff would expect to see results.] He reluctantly admits that no cattle have been harmed in the attacks, but he counts that as a success of the vigilance of the posses, while not pointing out that the attacks came before the posses were authorized.

An older lady (possibly Burt's wife, though they are in seperate aisles) is more than willing to give you an earful (and a half) about the election. Trent Barton is the owner of the town's only bank. "I don't trust 'im, he's really rich so he must be ripping off us poor townsfolk." On the other hand, she adores Solomon Burke, who is the preacher at the Felloship of the Common Path Church. "That Reverend Solomon, he's a smart guy. He says that these deaths are a sign from God, because people today don't behave themselves and God is warning us that if we don't behave worse things will come. I'm voting for him, just in case."

Mayoral elections in Ford usually coincide with Presidential elections, but since this is an emergency election, it takes place 60 days after the position was vacated. Since the Mayor died in mid June, the election will take place in mid August, roughly 6 weeks from now.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: 21:38, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 19 using 1d20+7. sense motive.]

Frank smiled and nodded agreeably as the older lady waxed lyrical about the preacher. When he had a chance to get a word in edgeways, he pressed her for a little more information about her voting preferences, guessing she was probably a pretty good measure of the opinions of average townsfolk.

"Were you always planning to vote for Solomon?" he asked her, "Mr Lindscombe seemed to have been a well liked guy, any chance he might have had your vote?"

He tried to keep the tone light, feeding her need to gossip, without being too pushy or forward.

"So, whoever gets in, do you think it'll be an improvement? What was the old mayor like?"

The lady answers your questions with the rapidity of a teenage girl with her friends. You hardly see her take a breath, though biology dictates that she she must be breathing somehow.

Well at first I was going to vote for Big Earl, Godrest'i'soul. I didn't know 'im, myself, but my husband Burt says he's a really nice man, and if Burt says he's a nice man then he must be a nice man. But then he died, Godrest'i'soul, and I don't trust that banker, so I decided to vote for Solomon then. I don't go to his church, I like Pastor Parsons, but my neighbor Roberta, she says that Reverend Solomon is a better preacher, and maybe she's right since Pastor Parsons isn't saying that these attacks are signs from God. I'll go to see Reverend Solomon some day, but I don't want to go yet because my other neighbor Charlene goes to see Pastor Parsons preach, and if I'm not there she'll tell everybody that I'm a bad Christian because I didn't go to church.

Anyways, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, I don't really care who wins, as long as it's not that cheat Barton. The mayor doesn't really do much, we are such a small town, but Mr. Owens he was nice. He always listened to those crazies at town hall who wanted to put in a stoplight down town, and he was very nice and listened to them every week but still didn't put in the light anyway because we don't need it.

"Well let's hope Reverend Solomon is as good a mayor, as it sounds like Owens was," he said, smiling. "It seems likely you god-fearing folks will elect him. Maybe God can succeed in solving these attacks where the local law have failed."

He kept his tone friendly, not allowing any hint of cynicism to creep in to his voice. Reverend Solomon was certainly climbing fast up the list of people he wanted to speak to.

[Private to GM: So, have I got time to visit some more places, or is it about time Frank grabbed a lift with Adele?]

PM

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: If you have more questions you want to answer on your own, then just continue in this thread and simultaneously post in the other thread. I said before it's ok if time gets a little wonky :) ]

No word from either the Doc or Toby yet, so Frank decided he'd done enough talking to the man on the street, and decided to head over to the bank to interview his prime suspect, Mr Trent Barton.

The town bank, unlike the rest of the rundown town, is bright and shiny; in fact, it looks as if it could have been built yesterday. The inside is large and pristine, with green tile floors and perfectly white walls.

After a little back-and-forth with the secretary, you are allowed into Mr. Barton's office. He is a rotund man, dressed in what is likely the nicest suit in town. He is clean shaven, save for a handlebar mustache stolen from the evil villian in a silent picture.

Well hello, he says, in an accent that can only be pulled off by the super rich. Are you a reporter or something? Looking for a scoop?

Frank could see why the woman he had talked to in the store had a low opinion of Mr Trent Barton. He came across as a pretty obnoxious and officious man. He didn't seem to be too bothered about Frank being a possible reporter though.

"Yeah, if you like," he said. "I'm curious about this coming re-election. How'd you rate your chances? What do you think of your one opponent?"

He emphasises the 'one' to reference the fact of Earl being the second victim of the attack. When he does, he studies Barton carefully for any sign of a reaction.

[Private to GM: 23:50, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Sense Motive on Trent Barton.]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Wed 07 Oct 2009.

Solomon? The man rests his hands on his ample stomach and leans forward in a conspiratorial manner. Off the record, that guy's nuttier than my nan's award winning pecan pie. If he wins this town will be turned into a papal state!

Conspiracy over, he leans back in his chair. On the record, my worthy opponent presents many good arguments, but ultimately his views on the issues show that he's not a fit to lead Fort, Montana. That is why I will be voted mayor on August 18th.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: You don't detect any sinister motives. He sees your inquiry as a comment on his increased odds, not as suspicion of being the one behind those odds.]

Frank started to get the impression he was just wasting his time speaking to Trent Barton. Either that, or a small town banker had the skills to throw his keen policeman's instincts off. He wasn't about to bet his earnings on that.

"Er, sure," he said, nodding. "Thanks for your time."

He exchanged the usual vague pleasantries, and then headed over to the church to speak to Reverend Solomon, who he had been hearing so much about. He was wary about going there alone, but if he just chatted long enough to get a feel for the man, and backed off if he got any sort of a bad feeling, it couldn't be too bad, could it?

The Fellowship of the Common Path Church is located just outside of town, about 10 minutes by foot.

The building is an imposing stone cathedral, which from the outside appears to consist of only a sanctuary and an office or two. At the entrance are two dark wooden doors, held securely by black iron hinges and adorned with heavy iron knockers. A cornerstone shows that the church was only built two years ago.

The doors are locked.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: (Spot check 23) You notice that unlike every other Christian church you've seen before, this one has no images of the cross anywhere on the outside, or in its stained glass windows

12:43, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 23 using 1d20+10. spot.]

'Well, that's pretty weird,' thought Frank, noticing that there wasn't a cross to be seen anywhere on the exterior of the building. "Even for a kooky church in a hick town. Maybe my first hunch was right..."

He took a deep breath, patted his jacket to feel the reassuring bulk of his concealed weapon, and walked to the door. He tried the door, to see if it was open, and if it wasn't he'd tried banging on the knocker. Once inside he'd see if he could find the Reverend Solomon.

The knock echoes through the church. A previously hidden panel opens up in the door and you can see two eyes peer out at you. They inspect you for a few seconds, then the panel closes again.

You can hear a lock being turned, then the door opens. The man who opened the door is built like a football player but manages to look sharp in a dark black suit. In a surprisingly smooth voice he says, You must be that reporter who's been asking questions around town. Reverend Solomon is expecting you; please, be seated.

The man walks towards towards the back of the sanctuary and knocks on a door that leads to the offices you could see from the outside. Out steps a tall man in his early fourties. He is tall and thin, dressed in all black save for a white priest's collar. He hides nicely trimmed black hair under a flat-brimmed hat.

He walks up to you and shakes your hand with a warm smile on his face. My son, how can I be of service on this day?

Frank had been hoping to keep a low profile, but in a small town like this, word travelled fast. He doubted that Solomon would buy the reporter story, but it seemed that's what most people had him pegged as, so he might as well stick with it.

"Thanks for your time, Reverend," he said, smiling. "Just got a few questions regarding your upcoming election, if you don't mind."

He eased him in with some easier questions first, asking how he fancied his chances, what he thought of his opponent, what sort of plans he had for the town. Then he struck him with the question that he'd been wanting to ask since the first minute of the conversation.

"So, these attacks... the mayor was killed, then one of the runners in this re-election," he said, "Doesn't it worry you that these deaths are following a pattern; do you think you could be next?"

As soon as he'd said it, he wondered if he'd maybe gone too far. It was too late though, and gave him an opportunity to study the Reverend's reaction carefully.

Solomon answers your easy questions as expected: God willing, he believes that he will be selected for Mayor, and would bring the town out of its time of darkness.

He looks a little surprised when you ask about a connection with the deaths. No, my son, I do not believe I will be next. A secular man would point out that the most recent unfortunate victim had no connection with the mayoral race. But as a man of God I have a direct connection to the answer. This town is being warned to change its evil ways. God has sent a beast to cleanse the sinners and a pestilence to wake up the fence sitters! No longer is He satisfied with an apathetic congregation! I know that I will not be a victim of the Beast, for I am spreading God's good Word.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: (Sense motive 19) You don't sense anything odd in his behavior. Well, nothing besides the obvious, anyway.

12:39, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 19 using 1d20+7. sense motive.]

Frank had never had much time for religious nuts, and Solomon seemed to be pretty nutty in his beliefs. Nutty, yes, but dangerous? He certainly didn't seem to be. Either that, or he was hiding his connection to the attacks very well indeed.

"You know, Reverend, attacking and killing your own congregation doesn't seem all that 'godly', he said, grimly. "I take it you haven't given much thought to the idea that this creature might have been sent by, the other guy?" He rolled his eyes down towards the floor, and then back up to meet Solomon's.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:02, Thu 22 Oct 2009.

The other guy..? You mean Satan! No my son, Satan does his work in more subtle ways. He would never risk killing someone who might give themselves to God in their last few seconds. No, Satan much more prefers to slowly but surely turn people away from God, so that even on their death beds they do not ask for His forgiveness.

And besides, there is much evidence for God killing His flock when they are misbehaving. I would remind you of Sodom and Gomorrah, and of course, the Great Flood. If you want to learn more you really should come to my service on Sunday.

Frank hated to admit it, but what the preacher said made sense, if you believed in that sort of thing. Satan was more like a mobster, working slowly but surely to corrupt anyone who came in contact with him. Now God, he was more like a vigilante, killing those who didn't live up to his particular moral values. Frank hated both types.

"Er, yeah," he said, without much enthusiasm. "Maybe I will do that."

He thanked the Reverend for his time, and then made to leave.

Solomon graciously ushers you to the front door. As soon as you step outside the door shuts with an ominous echo.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Are you done with this thread now or do you have anyone else you want to interview?]

Frank glanced back towards the church as he walked back towards the main street. Something about that place gave him the creeps big time. Solomon had given him a little bit of a weird feeling too, seemed a bit too comfortable with the idea of members of his congregation being attacked by a wild beast, if that's what it was.

As soon as he reached Main Street, his cellphone rang. It was Toby, and he had news about what they'd found outside the town, Adele was on her way. No more time for talking, but Frank had pretty much done with the preliminary interviews anyway.